Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Wrexham ‘tracking three Premier League stars’ including former England striker ahead of Championship return

      by

      WREXHAM are targeting an experienced Premier League trio ahead of their return to the Championship.Phil Parkinson’s side will be back in the second-tier for the first time since the 1980s, having finished as runners-up in League One.Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate promotion to the ChampionshipCredit: ReutersWrexham earned promotion by finishing second in League OneCredit: GettyHaving secured three consecutive promotions, the Red Dragons are looking to get their squad up to scratch for a Championship campaign.Throughout Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership, Wrexham have targeted experience.The likes of James McClean, Ben Foster, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher have all previously been recruited in recent seasons.According to the Mail, Wrexham are looking at more veteran transfer targets.READ MORE FOOTBALLThey claim that former Liverpool forward Danny Ings is on their radar.Ings, 33, signed for West Ham from Aston Villa for £12million in January 2023.It was recently confirmed that the three-cap England international would be leaving London Stadium at the end of this season.This means that Wrexham could potentially sign him on a free transfer.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDanny Ings is being released by West HamCredit: GettyWrexham are also interested in Ings’ West Ham team-mate Aaron Cresswell.The 35-year-old, who also earned three England caps, is leaving West Ham after 11 years and 369 appearances.Wrexham stars celebrate in iconic Las Vegas casino and hijack luggage cart after Hollywood owners splash £500k on partyCresswell would add vast experience to Parkinson’s back line.Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is also of interest to the Red Dragons.The midfielder, 34, is set to be out of contract at Craven Cottage this summer – although boss Marco Silva would like him to stay.Speaking about Cairney and his team-mate Kenny Tete, Silva recently said: “You all know that between the football club, and Kenny and Tom Cairney, there have been discussions, conversations with their representatives, their agents, and all that stuff.”Let’s hope we can have good news for us soon.”SunSport recently revealed that several Wrexham stars are set for promotion wage hikes.The likes of striker Paul Mullin are on even larger salaries than before,  making exits difficult so that Dragons may have to pay some to leave the Racecourse on loans or frees.Aaron Cresswell is leaving West Ham after 11 yearsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialFulham want to keep skipper Tom CairneyCredit: AP More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Plymouth in furious statement as manager Miron Muslic, 42, ‘breaks promise’ to join ex-Champions League semi-finalists

      by

      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE launched a furious statement after their manager “broke promises” to walk out for former Champions League semi-finalists. Miron Muslic, 42, only took over at Home Park in January, replacing Wayne Rooney in the dugout.Miron Muslic infuriated Plymouth Argyle by walking out on the club to join SchalkeCredit: RexHe masterminded the famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool before a valiant defeat against Manchester City in the fifth round.But the Bosnian was unable to avoid relegation from the Championship as Argyle finished 23rd – three points from safety. However, the club were willing to stick by Muslic and had already began making plans to back him in League One and push for promotion next season.That was until he suddenly told the Pilgrims he wanted to leave for FC Schalke in Germany’s second tier.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd Argyle “reluctantly” gave him permission to enter negotiations with Schalke.But their statement blasted Muslic for seemingly betraying his word months into his contract which ran until 2028.Plymouth fumed: “Argyle can confirm that we have reluctantly allowed Head Coach Miron Muslic to open talks with a 2. Bundesliga side after he expressed his desire to speak with the German team and not return to England.”Despite regular communication since the end of the season, and no mention of any issues, Miron has now made it clear that, after extended periods away from his family, this opportunity provides him the chance to be closer to them after four years on the road.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We are frustrated by this decision, having implemented clear structures, processes and personnel to aid Miron and his coaching staff as we look to return to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.”Not only that, the club have also moved quickly to bring in new signings and received repeated verbal promises from Miron that he was committed to Argyle and would do everything to help the club bounce back to the second tier.’When we go down…oh God’ – Red-faced Plymouth owner accidentally admits club are getting relegated with 15 games left”Muslic joined the Greens in January 2025, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, after a period out of the game having departed Cercle Brugge. “He will now leave Argyle just four months into that long-term commitment.”We wish him the best for his future career.”We will be making no further comment at this stage.”In Muslic’s press conference after the final game of the season, he openly said he needed backing.The club responded by appointing David Fox as head of football operations and Tom Randle – who Muslic had worked with previously – as head of recruitment.Jamie Paterson and Caleb Watts signed last week – the former citing his conversations with Muslic as a major reason behind joining. One fan took to Wikipedia to edit his page name to “Plymouth Snake” in response to the shock bombshell news, which will reportedly see Argyle receive £1million in compensation. Seven-time top-flight runners-up Schalke suffered two relegations from the Bundesliga in three years from 2022 to 2024. Read More on The SunThey finished 14th in the 2 Bundesliga this term – with the likes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and Rasmus Hojlund’s brother Emil in the squad.Die Konigsblauen are six-time German Cup winners, won the Uefa Cup in 1997 and reached the Champions League semis in 2011, losing 6-1 on aggregate to Manchester United. Muslic was in charge when Argyle beat Liverpool in the FA CupCredit: Getty More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Managerless QPR release five players following culmination of Championship season… but SEVEN more could still leave

      by

      QUEENS PARK RANGERS have announced five players are leaving the club – with a fan favourite potentially set to follow. The Rs have just completed their tenth-straight season in the Championship.QPR have announced five players are leaving the clubCredit: GettyPlayer of the season Jimmy Dunne is yet to sign a new deal with the clubCredit: AlamyRangers finished 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone but ten behind the playoff places. The club are currently searching for a manager after placing Marti Cifuente on gardening leave in April. But that isn’t stopping them from having a summer clear-out at Loftus Road. The club have confirmed Kenneth Paal, Conor Clark, Samuel Manufor, Harry Murphy, and Casey Shann have all been released.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPaal has been in West London since 2022, joining the club from Dutch side Zwolle.He has played 130 times for the R’s, scoring six goals. In an emotional statement on Instagram, he wrote: “From day one, I enjoyed every moment. “The people at the club as well as my team-mates helped me and my family, and I will always be thankful. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”There were tough moments but my time with QPR made me a better person and a better player. “I became a father here and my little one was born in London, so this will always be a special place and time for me. It was a life-changing period.”Former Championship club win promotion to National League as fans go wild after nightmare decadeSeven players remain locked in negotiations with the club over a new deal.Lucas Andersen, Jack Colback, Jimmy Dunne, Morgan Fox, Joel Halliday, Noah McCann, Kieran Petrie and Nathan Shepperd.QPR attempted to renew Dunne’s contract earlier in the season and blocked a move to Sheffield United in January. The 27-year-old was voted the club’s player of the season by both supporters and his teammates.Dunne is set to become a free agent if he is unable to sign a new deal in the capital. More

    • 163 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Frank Lampard releases eight Coventry stars after gut-wrenching Championship play-off defeat to Sunderland

      by

      COVENTRY have released eight players after falling short of promotion to the Premier League.Frank Lampard, who landed the job in November, led the Sky Blues on an incredible surge up the table to finish fifth.Coventry have released eight playersCredit: PAJamie Paterson has left after just eight gamesCredit: PABut they remain in the Championship after conceding a 122nd minute winner to Sunderland in the play-off semi-final.Coventry have announced their release list following the end of the season with Jamie Paterson the biggest name departing.The 33-year-old was at the club for three months and managed eight appearances.But he has not been offered a new contract and will join League One side Plymouth Argyle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAcademy graduates Jack Burroughs, Ryan Howley and Cian Tyler have also been shown the exit door.Burroughs, 24, joined Coventry at the age of seven and went on to make 21 senior appearances.But he has spent recent seasons out on loan at Lincoln, Kilmarnock and Ross County.Howley, 21, played eight times in total and was with Scottish Championship side Ayr United on loan last season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKTyler, 23, is another who has been at Coventry since he was a schoolboy, but he never managed a first-team game.Under-21 quartet Aston Ellard, Daniel Rachel, Kain Ryan and Jayden Smith have also left the club.Coventry have decided to trigger one-year extension options in the contracts of midfielder Jamie Allen and goalkeeper Luke Bell.Allen, 30, has been in the squad for the last six seasons and he has featured 151 times for the club.Bell, 21, joined from Wolves three years ago and is their youth-team keeper.Jamie Allen will remain with the clubCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Championship club to hold talks with Tottenham coach Ryan Mason to take over as manager after Tony Mowbray sacked

      by

      TOTTENHAM coach Ryan Mason is in talks to become the manager of Championship outfit West Brom, according to reports.Mason, 33, is said to be the No.1 target for the Baggies this summer.Ryan Mason is in talks to take over at West BromCredit: PAMason is part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff at Spurs who were crowned Europa League championsCredit: ReutersWest Brom chiefs sacked previous boss Tony Mowbray in April.That decision came after a disastrous run of one win in four games at the end of the season saw them miss out on the play-offs, ultimately won by Sunderland.Mason has been a coach at Tottenham since 2018 after retiring with a serious head injury, initially starting out in the youth ranks before he moved into the senior side.The former midfielder has outlasted a number of big name bosses at the north London club, namely, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMason was also a key part of the backroom staff of current manager Ange Postecoglou, who guided Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League.According to The Telegraph, West Brom want their new boss in place well before pre-season and have held talks with several candidates over the position.However, the Hawthorns outfit were set to offer Mason the job after Spurs’ final game of the Premier League season against Brighton – which ended in a 4-1 defeat.Mason secured his Uefa Pro-licence two years ago and has been linked with managerial posts at Anderlecht and Swansea.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBut his only experience as a top coach has come as an interim manager at Spurs, managing 13 games across two spells.West Brom are searching for their third boss since February 2024, which is when Florida-based businessman Shilen Patel took over the club.Inside Tottenham’s wild Europa League open-top bus parade as 200,000 fans greet heroesThe summer recruitment drive is being led by sporting director Andrew Nestor.West Brom made the play-offs by finishing fifth in the Championship last year under Carlos Corberan, though he left the club in December 2024 to join La Liga outfit Valencia.Mowbray was then appointed as his permanent successor for his second spell in charge of the team but lasted just three months.The club were last in the top flight in the 2020/21 season which came after they earned automatic promotion by finishing second in the Championship. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh ready to buy ex-Premier League club – but rules out crisis side Sheffield Wednesday

      by

      SAUDI ARABIAN boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is reportedly interested in buying one of two English clubs.It was claimed last week that Alalshikh had taken part in talks with Championship side Millwall ahead of a potential bid.Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh is reportedly considering a takeover of SouthamptonCredit: GettySouthampton is one of two clubs he is currently keen onCredit: PAHowever, the Lions denied that discussions were held.Officials also insisted the club was not for sale.With a bid for Millwall understood to be off the table, talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan revealed that Alalshikh has now turned his interest to recently-relegated Southampton.Jordan also admitted that he put the idea of buying Sheffield Wednesday to him amid unrest over the club’s current ownership.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, the Saudi boxing mogul refused.The talkSPORT presenter explained: “No it’s not talk, they are interested because they’ve told me.”I’ve told him and tried to talk him out of Millwall because I don’t think it’s a proper football club, but that’s a different discussion.”But it is Millwall, and he likes Southampton. I suggested Sheffield Wednesday to him. He doesn’t want Sheffield Wednesday.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”He doesn’t want a club in the north. He wants a club in the south. And Millwall and Southampton are the two clubs that he thinks are interesting to him.”It is understood that several English clubs have sounded Alalshikh out over a potential takeover.Turki Alalshikh working on astonishing fight in Alcatraz prison and vows to hold bout inside Rome’s iconic Colosseum The 43-year-old has become a prominent figure in the boxing world in recent years, brokering some of the biggest fights in the sport.His role as chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority means he has varied business interests.Having recently sold LaLiga 2 side Almeria, he is now looking to buy a club in the Premier League or Championship.Southampton were relegated from the Prem this season after finishing 12th in the table.The Saints appointed Will Still as their new manager at the weekend.Will Still was appointed as Southampton’s new manager last weekCredit: Getty More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Why Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe requested NOT to have surname on Sunderland shirt for Championship play-off final

      by

      JOBE BELLINGHAM spent this season with his first name on the back of his Sunderland shirt. Bellingham – younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude – helped Sunderland gain promotion back to the Premier League. Jobe Bellingham spent this season with his first name on the back of his Sunderland shirtCredit: Shutterstock EditorialAnd he did so wearing the No.7 with Jobe on his shirt – opting not to wear his surname as is usually the case for players. According to the Daily Mail, the reason being is that midfielder wants to create his own identity away from that of his older brother.Players can ask for “appropriate variation” on the back of their shirt – should they wish at the start of the season.Older brother Jude joined Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 and has won the LaLiga title and Champions League in Spain. READ MORE IN footballHe has also become a regular for England – scoring six times in his 42 caps so far. Like Jude, his younger brother also came through Birmingham’s academy before joining Sunderland in 2023. This season, he made 40 appearances with four goals and has attracted attention from across Europe. Dortmund – who helped Jude make his name – are believed to be rivalling Eintracht Frankfurt for his signature. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBellingham wanted to make a name for himself with Sunderland – and achieved that alongside the rest of his team-mates at Wembley. The Black Cats saw off Sheffield United 2-1 thanks to a last-minute Tom Watson winner. Bellingham, 19, said: “I’ve been part of this great team so every player has made a name for themselves here. So really proud.”Jobe Bellingham takes swipe at Sky Sports pundits in live TV interview before awkward moment with panel at Wembley More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Charlton 1 Leyton Orient 0: Nathan Jones leads Addicks back to Championship with huge win over London rivals at Wembley

      by

      MACAULAY GILLESPHEY curled home the sweetest of free-kicks to fire Charlton back into the Championship.It has been five long years for the Addicks in League One but the defender came up trumps with a 30th-minute effort to earn Nathan Jones promotion in his first full season as boss.Charlton are back in the ChampionshipCredit: Shutterstock EditorialMacaulay Gillesphey’s free-kick proved decisiveCredit: PANathan Jones celebrated in typically wild fashion at full-timeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialCharlton return to the second tier for the first time in 2020Credit: Shutterstock EditorialCharlton have been out of the Premier League since 2007 and this has been their fifth season in League One and eighth out of the last nine.But since Nathan Jones took charge in February 2004 things have been on the up at The Valley – steering clear of an unimaginable relegation battle before a third-place finish this season.The game started at a great pace.And ref Andrew Kitchen decided to keep the card in his pocket when Lloyd Jones clattered Dan Agyei as the Orient striker looked to break into the Charlton half.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRight-back Ethan Galbraith, who Wellens said is a “future Premier League footballer”, dragged an effort wide.Ollie O’Neill had a chance to shoot when the O’s caught Charlton on the break but Kayne Ramsay threw himself to block the effort.Leyton Orient came close to breaking the deadlock when Agyei played a peach of a cross from the right but Jordan Brown just failed to connect.And Charlton ruthlessly punished them down the other end when Tyrese Campbell was brought down 25 yards from goal.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSUp stepped Macaulay Gillesphey to curl a wonderful free-kick past Josh Keeley despite the keeper getting his fingertips to it for his sixth goal of the season.It was so excellently executed and sent the sold-out Charlton end into a frenzy of jubilationWhat had been so frustrating for Orient is that in the first half their top-scoring Charlie Kelman did not get a single kick inside the Charlton box.Wellens sent his team out early for the second half and Galbraith managed to get behind the Addicks on the right flank but his cross was jumped on by Will Mannion.And Orient went mighty close to levelling when Jack Currie saw his effort deflected by Tyreece Campbell barely an inch wide of the right post that had Mannion beaten.The O’s fans, who had gone a little quiet, now found their voice again, having belief that they might be able to claw themselves back into the game.The bar then came to Charlton’s rescue when Currie drove forward, played a pass into Kelman, who let fly a 20 yard effort that flew over Mannion but rattled back off the woodwork.Charlton did not concede in their three play-off gamesCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt was Gillesphey’s sixth goal of the seasonCredit: GettyAlex Gilbert took out Jamie Donley on the edge of the box before the O’s player dusted himself off but fired his shot into the wall.Conor Coventry saw an effort tipped over by Josh Keeley after he was played in by Karoy Anderson.Ref Andrew Kitchen was having issues with his communications kit and there was a long delay while he got kitted with a replacement.Read More on The SunChuks Aneke saw a snap shot pushed around the post by Keeley.After 11 minutes of stoppages it was finally all over and the Addicks are back in the Championship. More